Legislation Update - March 2007

Sunday, 04 March 2007

Chemical registration. Beginning June 1, European Union regulations will take effect that require chemical producers to register the properties of their products with the new European Chemical Agency in Helsinki, Finland. The agency has the authority to ban those chemicals it considers to be a significant health risk. REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) will replace 40 existing legal acts and create a single system for all chemical substances. It covers 30,000 chemicals in use. The registration process will occur over an 11-year period.

AgJOBS reintroduced. Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Larry Craig, R-Idaho, reintroduced the AgJOBS bill. Why reintroduce the bill? Several senators wanted to be original co-sponsors, showing their leadership on an issue they believe is very important to the public. The list of sponsors includes the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and four declared presidential candidates.

Research funds. Increased funding for floriculture and nursery crops in USDA’s budget will remain a top lobbying priority. Society of American Florists and American Nursery & Landscape Association will launch a joint grass-roots appeal to industry members. Letters to Congress will be an essential component of a successful effort this year for the Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative.

Farm Bill recommendations. ANLA compiled a list of issues it recommends be addressed by the 2007 Farm Bill. Chief among them are pest and disease issues, including a plant pest emergency eradication program. This program would give USDA access to emergency funds should serious foreign plant pests, such as Phytophthora ramorum or emerald ash borers, invade the United States. Other proposals are for increased funding of nursery research, projects that address farm-worker issues, and changes to the Plant Patent Act.

Big-box ban. The San Diego City Council voted to ban certain giant retail stores. The 5-3 vote prohibits “stores of more than 90,000 square feet that use 10 percent of space to sell groceries and other merchandise that is not subject to sales tax.” The council’s decision was seen as at least a temporary blow to Wal-Mart, which had plans to expand in the city.